Adonai - Sovereign Lord and Master

The Lord appeared again to Abraham while he was camped near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day about noon, as Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent, he suddenly noticed three men standing nearby. He got up and ran to meet them, welcoming them by bowing low to the ground. “My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while. - Genesis 18:1-3

One day while walking with some children, Queen Mary was caught in a sudden shower. Quickly taking shelter on the porch of a home, she knocked at the door and asked to borrow an umbrella. “I’ll send it back tomorrow,” she said. The queen had deliberately disguised her appearance by putting on a hat that partially covered her face and wearing some very plain clothes. The homeowner, reluctant to give a stranger her best umbrella, offered her a castoff she found in the attic. One rib was broken and there were several holes in it. Apologizing, she turned it over to the monarch, whom she did not recognize.

The next day the homeowner had another visitor—a man with gold braid on his uniform and an envelope in his hand. “The queen sent me with this letter,” he said, “and also asked me to thank you personally for the loan of your umbrella.” Stunned, the woman burst into tears. “Oh, what an opportunity I missed to give my very best,” she cried.

Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent. Perhaps he was enjoying a breeze in the heat of the day. Suddenly, three figures appeared out of the shimmering heat waves. Abraham immediately approached them with an invitation to enjoy his hospitality. He did not immediately recognize them as heavenly beings (vv. 3-8) but still treated them with the respectful common courtesy. He obviously realized that one was the leader because he did not address them as a group but instead referred to one of them as “adon” or “my lord.” In its singular form, this was a form of address that was used commonly for nobility.

However, the truth finally dawned on him that these were no mere men. He had, as described in Hebrews 13:2, entertained angels unawares. And then, as the conversation progressed and this lead angel told him the future, Abraham finally came to the stunning conclusion that he was face to face with Adonai, the Sovereign Lord and Master of the universe. How glad he must have been that he had hurried to serve the Master!

But the truth is, we all come face to face with the Master every day. We are taught in Matthew 25:31-46 that we serve Adonai when we serve the poor, the thirsty, the hungry, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned. Just as Adonai accepted Abraham’s service, He is waiting for yours. What have you done for Him lately?